Solanum betaceum (syn. Cyphomandra betacea)

The Tamarillo, or Tree Tomato, is a small tree or shrub in the tomato family grown for its edible fruit. Native to the Andes of South America, the Tamarillo can be found growing in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. The Tamarillo is a fast growing tree, capable of reaching 15 feet in height, but often is much smaller and well suited to container growing. These trees are known to thrive and produce fruit for up to 12 years and are a fun and exotic alternative to the annual garden tomato. The ripe Tamarillo fruit is a firm, yellow, orange, or red fruit between 2 and 4 inches in length with a distinct tomato flavor with a tart, bright quality. Plants are cold hardy to just below freezing, so should be protected in frost prone climates.

Cold hardy to USDA zone 10a and above, or to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you want to learn more about the fruit of this plant, check out a tasting and review by our friend Weird Explorer on YouTube here.